Free Copper Lake Confidential by Marilyn Pappano Page A

they might live, what she might do. But she’d never given a moment’s thought to what she would do about Fair Winds. She certainly would never live there.
    But sign it over to a preservation group she’d never heard of until five minutes ago? With all its contents? And to a group headed by Louise Wetherby, no less?
    What kind of gift would that be? She’d never asked what the place was valued at, and neither Mark nor Miss Willa had ever said. The furnishings alone were probably worth several million. Mark’s ancestors had sailed the world and brought back the best goods each country had to offer, and they’d never parted with a single treasure. Add the house—in nowhere near a state of disrepair, no matter what Louise said—and the riverfront property...
    A hell of a gift. And one that wasn’t hers to give.
    Realizing that silence had fallen, she looked at Louise to see her offering what appeared to be a contract. She took it but didn’t so much as glance at it. “You realize I didn’t inherit Fair Winds. Clary did.”
    Another dismissive gesture. “You’re her mother. You control her inheritance. Until she’s of age, you choose what’s best for her. You certainly can’t leave the house empty and forgotten for another fifteen years. How irresponsible is that?”
    And yet giving it away free and clear was responsible?
    “Of course, the Howard name would remain attached to the plantation, and it would remain a memorial to their history as well as their many, many contributions to Jackman County and Georgia. We would see that the house was restored to its former glory and would ensure its graceful arrival into its next century.”
    Macy swallowed a derisive snort. She’d been gone a year and a half, granted, but Miss Willa had never let a board go unpainted or a screw unloosened any longer than the time it took to make a phone call. The only restoration work it could possibly need was on the front lawn. The killing grounds.
    Was that part of the history the preservation society wanted to memorialize? Macy shuddered. That really would break Miss Willa’s heart. Four hundred years of spotless Howard reputation destroyed by the last two surviving Howard males. Thank God. If ever there was a name that deserved to die out...
    “All you need to do is sign the papers and—”
    “No.” Swallowing hard, Macy set the papers on the coffee table.
    She had the pleasure of leaving Louise Wetherby speechless, albeit temporarily. The woman gaped for a moment, like a fish trying to undo the hook in its mouth. Good heavens, she’d actually thought Macy would meekly acquiesce and sign away a seven-figure chunk of her daughter’s inheritance at her command. Did she believe Macy was that malleable? That weak? Or that crazy?
    Spending months in a psychiatric hospital tended to make people think that of a person.
    Resolve smoothed Louise’s features as she stood. “Of course you need time to think about it. That’s understandable. Keep the papers. Read over them. Consider the welfare of the community along with that of your daughter. I’m sure, given time, you’ll agree that this is the best solution to the problem. When you’re ready to sign, you can let me know. You have my contact information, of course.”
    Macy supposed there was a homeowners’ directory somewhere in Mark’s office, but it would be a cold day in hell before she called Louise. If she decided to donate Fair Winds, it would be to the state, the local historical society—anyone besides Louise.
    “I can show myself out.” Louise made it to the hall before turning back. “Oh, and welcome back. Starting off new will be easier once you’ve cleaned up old business.”
    A moment later the door closed, and Macy sank down into the chair exactly like the spineless creature she was. Her gaze settled on the contract again, and she shook her head numbly. The nerve of the old hags, trying to manipulate her into such a decision on her second day back.
    And